Thank you all for the input and advice. You know it's a great community when, in a day, you get this many quality responses.
I've ordered some Pegas blades to try out. I will be paying close attention to the tension and go from there. I don't think my machine is variable speed (if it is I havent figured it out LOL) and I don't think I'm pressing the feed rate.
I've been working on simple cutouts and have noticed vast improvements already. I will keep practicing, and at worst, making toys that stay home for my kids to play with. They're loving the prototypes so far!